Conroe - Montgomery Edition | July 2024

Transportation

BY JESSICA SHORTEN

Montgomery County approves $19.1 M for Hwy. 242 flyover construction

Existing Proposed

WB Hwy. 242 to SB I-45 flyover

242

Montgomery County commissioners approved a $19.1 million funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation on June 18 to fund the construction of the eastbound flyover at Hwy. 242. What you need to know Following discussion over identifying a fund- ing source for the construction of a third direct connector from I-45 north to the eastbound lanes of Hwy. 242, commissioners finally approved a num- ber of budget amendments to fund the project’s construction. The $19.1 million in funding was pulled from seven accounts, including American Rescue Plan Act funds and leftover disaster funds from the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The background According to previous Community Impact report- ing, the cost to build the third direct connector was estimated at $14.9 million in 2022. A May 28 letter from TxDOT showed the cost to build the direct connector in 2024 has risen to $19.1 million. TxDOT officials told the county the project was scheduled to begin bidding in August, but it would be taken off the 2024 letting schedule if the funding was not allocated by the county before Aug. 2. What’s next? Budget Director Amanda Carter said she would reach out to TxDOT to see if the state will accept a wire transfer or check from the county. TxDOT has the project construction slated to begin with the bid process in early August and construction by the end of the year.

Proposed NB I-45 to EB Hwy. 242 flyover

NB I-45 to WB Hwy. 242 flyover

Montgomery County will use funds from several sources to pay for the eastbound flyover at Hwy. 242. • $5.88M from old bond funds • $7.5M from pass-through toll funds • $2.3M from interest accounts • $1M from commissioner road, bridge funds • $1M from county’s unused disaster funds • $506,293 in ARPA revenue replacement funds • $956,243.32 from contingency funds

Total: $19.1M

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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